Light Through Still Water.

In the quiet streets of Tsukihane City, Nekowa Kazumori has spent five years making himself invisible. He counts his steps, avoids eye contact, and hides his striking hazel eyes behind dark contacts — determined to stay as still and unnoticed as water. But when the famous former youth actress Kakesu Rina transfers into his class and later seeks refuge in his uncle’s small ramen diner, his carefully built walls begin to crack. As warm bowls of ramen, falling ginkgo leaves, and quiet conversations slowly draw them together, Kazumori must decide whether it's finally safe to let someone see the light through his still water.A gentle slow-burn story of healing, hidden truths, and learning how to exist again Author's Note Just a quick note before you start: The cover is AI-assisted (I can't afford a proper artist right now). Please judge the story by its content, not the cover. The plot, characters, and all creative ideas are 100% mine. I only used AI for editing and polishing. I poured a lot of effort into this story and really hope you enjoy it. If you like it, please consider sharing it with others! I'll be uploading one chapter per day until Chapter 11, then switching to weekly updates for Volume 2. Happy reading! — S.P